With so many security tasks competing for attention, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. The CIS Controls framework solves this by giving organizations a clear, prioritized roadmap for cybersecurity improvement.
What the CIS Controls Are
The Center for Internet Security (CIS) Controls are a set of 18 prioritized safeguards designed to help organizations defend against common cyber threats. They were developed by a community of security experts and are updated regularly to reflect the current threat landscape.
What makes CIS unique is that it doesn't try to do everything at once. Instead, it organizes controls into Implementation Groups (IGs) based on organizational maturity and risk.
How They're Organized
The CIS Controls are divided into three Implementation Groups:
- IG1: Basic Cyber Hygiene — 16 essential controls for organizations with limited security resources. This is the starting point for everyone.
- IG2: Foundational — adds 56 additional controls for organizations with more IT staff and somewhat higher risk profiles.
- IG3: Advanced — the full set of 153 safeguards for organizations with dedicated security teams and high security requirements.
Why CIS Is Practical for SMBs
Unlike frameworks that can feel academic or overwhelming, CIS is built for real-world implementation. It answers the question "where should we start?" with a clear answer: start with IG1.
IG1 includes essential practices like: - Inventory and control of hardware assets - Inventory and control of software assets - Data protection - Secure configuration of enterprise assets and software - Controlled use of administrative privileges - Maintenance, monitoring, and analysis of audit logs
Examples of Foundational Controls We Help Implement
At Virtue, we commonly help clients implement CIS controls like: - Asset inventory (you can't protect what you don't know you have) - Secure baseline configurations for workstations and servers - Controlled administrative access with just-in-time privileges - Email and web browser protections - Malware defenses and endpoint detection
Conclusion
Using CIS as a roadmap gives organizations a clear, measurable path to better security — one control at a time. It's not about achieving perfection overnight; it's about continuous improvement with a framework that tells you what to do next.
Ready to assess your organization against the CIS Controls? Contact Virtue Technology Solutions to schedule a consultation.